"I know it has been a long time since Benfica reached a European final," he told Uefa.com. "I know they are a team with a lot of victories in the past. Now we have a chance to achieve that as well. So in terms of history, the time is now.

"It doesn't matter if you win two games here or three games there, it's all about how you play and what happens on the day [of the final]. You have to do well on that day and nothing else."

Benfica striker Lima went on to echo his team-mate's sentiments and added how keen the players are leave their own personal stamp on the history books.

"Not only for the fans, who have waited so long for a European competition title, but I also believe it would be very important for the players to leave their names in a European competition," he said.

"It's very important for them as well but the fans ... what they can expect is a group and a team who are very much focused on making that possible – but they know that it won't be easy for us."